TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Sandra Chua

I read an account by Jen Flint of a mother who was taking pictures by the poolside. She had matching swimming outfits with her daughter and, after a few selfie shots, let her daughter swim in the pool. The mother, however, continued to click away on her cellphone, posting picture-perfect social media shots. The daughter asked her mom to go into the pool and play with her. The mother continued endlessly on her phone, typing and then chatting. After a while, the daughter came up from the pool asking the same thing. Her mom just ignored her again. This happened several times until the mother called her, and it was time to go. Talk about being there but not really there. 

Hagar had run away from Sarai after she was mistreated. She was pregnant and in despair. She was lost and helpless. As a slave, there was no one to help her. Notice that Hagar was not looking for the Lord. Hagar was found by the angel of the Lord in a spring of water in the wilderness. This is how gracious our Lord is. This is how the Lord pursues us. Our response to that pursuit is important. We can choose to accept or reject God when He reaches out to us. Hagar responds by calling on the name of the Lord. She gives Him the name “The God Who Sees Me.” God was not only there, He also saw her aching heart. He extended His loving kindness. Psalm 10:14 says the Lord sees trouble and grief and considers to take it in hand. 

God constantly reaches out to us. It may be through His word, through a Sunday message, through different media like television, or through people we meet. His hand is ever outstretched to us. Let us not be obstinate. 

REFLECTION

How have you responded to God’s calling? Do you welcome Him when He reaches out to you? 

PRAYER